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 Posted: Fri Oct 27, 2017 10:26 pm
 Well, from my reaction there was no hiding how much that hurt. I winced, trying not to fall flat on my face as Larissa and Mia asked if I was okay.
"Ow." I said, as my response. "Okay, that hurt."
The pain had mostly faded by the time the official staff for the ice skating rink came over, telling me that I should leave. I glanced at him, before rearing on my hind legs a little and eyeing him. I hissed. My pain was not helping my mood any. The transformation had been slow enough that I could control my reactions to it-- but ******** the spine changes HURT.
With the other two urging to get off the ice, I slid off gracefully towards the entrance. With a decent gap and a good amount of space in the air I flapped my wings and launched myself into the air, gliding over everyone's heads.
I'm still a small dragon, so I was able to fold my wings and dive-- landing on my feet infront of the doors and ambling outside. I hurried out into a snowbank and flopping onto my back, letting out a relieved sigh.
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Posted: Fri Oct 27, 2017 10:45 pm
Larissa watched Garnet rear up on her hind legs and hiss at the skating rink staff. He shouted in fear and leaped back, his hand flying to his walkie talkie and pulling it off his belt. He looked ready to use it to call security, his hand pressing the button. "Hey, I thought you said she was friendly! This is why we don't allow magical creatures on the ice!" he shouted at them "Please leave immediately before I call security to escort you from the premises. Aggression and bullying towards skating rink staff will not be tolerated!"
Larissa grumbled and rolled her eyes "Come on Garnet. Let's go" she said.
Garnet got off the rink, scaring a few people and kids as she flew overhead. Larissa followed her, clumsily walking in her heavy ice skates as she walked off the ice and followed her out of the door into the snowy outside.
Mia and Larissa caught up to Garnet, finding her flopped in a snow bank. Larissa crouched down and rubbed Garnet's side gently "Are you okay? I'm sorry we got kicked out. I didn't want to skate without you anyway" she said.
Poff bounded over to them and leaped onto Larissa's shoulder. "Brr! this snow is cold! I saw Garnet coming out of the ice rink, meow. Does that mean we're going back home?"
Larissa frowned slightly "Not yet. Garnet needs to chill here a while. The snow is helping her pain from finishing her transformation" She looked at Garnet as she soothingly rubbed her arm "Why didn't you tell me you were in pain? I could have given you some healing crystals, or a massage or something! Or even got you some medicine. I would have helped you sooner if you told me"
Mia stood nearby with Crash "So, I take it Garnet's classes are cancelled until further notice. Cause I don't think she can fit in the classrooms anymore"
Larissa looked worried "I don't know what's going to happen. We never really talked about it. Maybe you can get one on one lessons from the teachers" she told Garnet.
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Kasumi Roseglimmer Captain
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Posted: Fri Oct 27, 2017 11:03 pm
I snorted. "He was perfectly fine with me on two legs, he only had the problem when I dropped to all fours." I hissed. "If he had told me to leave when I was still on two legs h wouldn't have been such a... hypocrite. But the MOMENT I drop, and I'm having fukkin back spasms--!"
"Garnet, chill..." I heard Gossamer said.
"Sorry. I hurt." I said with a groan. "It just came out of nowhere."
Larissa asked me why I didn't tell her and I looked at her, before rolling my head back to look at the sky. "I didn't want you to worry." I said.
Now they were talking obout classes. I winced at the thought of not being able to fit in the classrooms. "If I tuck myself near the back of the rooms, maybe. I don't want to miss out on classes." I mused. I glanced to Mia. "Yeah, I'll have to talk to Isabella about that."
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Posted: Fri Oct 27, 2017 11:25 pm
Larissa frowned at Garnet's reply. She wasn't upset but she did feel a little hurt for some reason, although she wasn't mad at Garnet.
"Well, I suppose that makes sense. But what's more important? Me worrying, or you being in pain? Now that I know you were hurting so much, and I didn't realise, I feel bad for not doing anything to help you all those times. But what's done is done. Don't worry about me worrying next time. I mean, I only feel that way because I care. Even if I couldn't do anything to help, I'd still prefer to know what's going on, so you don't have to go through it alone. That way, I can be like, your emotional support"
She talked to the dragon lying on her back in the snow, and smiled because it did look a little silly. "But, I don't want to force you to tell me everything either. I just want you to know that, you can tell me stuff, and I'll always try my best to be there for you. And like, you don't have to keep secrets just to make me feel better. I'll try not to worry so much, and instead think about what I can do to help. If that helps. Sorry for worrying you with my worrying" she chuckled.
Mia cocked her head as she examined the smallish dragon in the snow drift. "Well, maybe you could squeeze into the back, yeah! So long as you're not going to grow any bigger. Otherwise you might have to study like...long distance, from CDs and class notes and stuff, and just contact your teachers on the phone"
"That's a good idea, Mia. And considering what I've studied on Sonicwings and their size, it might end up being Plan B! And yeah, Isabella will know what to do. Maybe we should go see her on Monday" Larissa said.
Poff shivered a bit and huddled down on Larissa's shoulder. "Do any of you want hot drinks? That cafe I was in earlier has things for familiars and magic users".
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Kasumi Roseglimmer Captain
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Posted: Sat Oct 28, 2017 12:23 am
She seemed unhappy that I didn't share how much the transformation hurt. If only I hadn't finished shifting and changing in the skating rink it wouldn't have been so obvious.
"Okay." I said, a little defeated. "I'll share with you next time."
Eventually the pain faded, and I rolled out of the snow and flexed, stretching once more. I arched my back then leaned forward, lengthening my spine. (And yes, I know I'm stretching like a cat does.) This time there were no painful protests of my spine or joints, thankfully.
"I hope I can turn back into a human." I said. "That would be the ideal thing." I commented as Mia theorized on how I was going to attend classes.
"A hot coffee sounds good." I said after Poff mentioned the Cafe. "But can the cafe fit me?" I asked, looking down at my fore-claws. I felt strange on all fours and slightly sheepish about that too.
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Posted: Sat Oct 28, 2017 12:46 am
Larissa would probably have found out eventually that the transformation was painful. Either way, the girl felt like she let her partner down somehow by causing her to keep it a secret and not trust her with it. But hey, at least she told her that she was always there for her if Garnet ever needed to talk. Larissa thought about how her parents kept things from each other, and how it had been just one more thing that caused them to divorce. She didn't want that to happen with her and Garnet.
Larissa did feel a bit guilty when Garnet agreed to share with her next time, but also happy. "Well, you don't have to...I just...I don't like not knowing when you're in trouble or you feel bad. I want to help you. And I'll share with you in return. That way, we won't keep secrets from each other. Our relationship will be an open relationship" she said, ending on a positive note. "I'd never force you to spill the beans. But like, you know..." she trailed off with a shrug. She had been holding Garnet's back dragon paw in her hands, massaging it gently.
Eventually the pain seemed to fade and Garnet was looking more relaxed and less tense. Larissa and Mia moved out of the way to give her space as she rolled out of the snow and performed some stretches. Larissa smiled, and through her link with Poff she told her familiar 'Hey she looks just like you when you're stretching'
'Hah! I'm not big and covered in scales. But yes, I can see the resemblance' Poff said back with a snicker.
Out loud, the witch said "Do you feel better Garnet?" as she stroked her shoulder/dragon flank. "Oh, I hope so too" she admitted about turning back into a human. "Let's ask Isabelle about it, or maybe someone who studies dragons and humanoid dragons"
"Yeah, hot chocolate with marshmallows and whipped cream..and chocolate sprinkles" Larissa chimed in, liking the sound of hot drinks. "Don't worry Garnet, I won't undo all our training. A little treat every now and then is okay" she giggled. "As for fitting in. Well, this is a magical town. They should be used to magical creatures coming in! If they don't have space, we'll ask them to make space"
Mia smiled, "That's my kinda style! Okay then. Hot drinks sound good. And maybe some snacks. I worked up an appetite skating round the rink. Been here for nearly 3 hours already" she said. She scritched Crash between the ears "Crash says he'll have warm carrot cake"
They headed over to the cafe that was nearby and saw people sitting at tables outside and inside. There was a Christmas tree outside with decorative lights and Christmas ornaments on the tables, along with tinsel everywhere. A cheerful Christmas song was playing and people were laughing and talking. Larissa went up to the counter and explained about Garnet and to her surprise the waitresses were really helpful. They cleared a space, moving some tables and chairs out of the way so Garnet could fit. Some little kids who were wearing ice skates spotted the dragon and the little boy pointed at Garnet, jumping up and down "Look mama, look! It's a dragon!" "It's so pretty!" the girl squealed "Can we go and pat it?" The mother smiled at her kids and looked over at Garnet "Sorry" she apologised.
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Kasumi Roseglimmer Captain
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Posted: Sat Oct 28, 2017 1:21 am
I took note of Larissa's comments about me not having too tell her, and I thought about that. Mia and Larissa lead me to the cafe, and they moved a space for me near a nice big window with a view of the street. I ordered a triple chocolate hot chocolate with a shot of espresso, a hint of salt, and a shot of peppermint. It was yummy. The mug they gave me was huge!
Mia and Larissa were sitting next to me, talking. I stayed quiet as I was thinking about things.
I threw a pair of aspirin into the drink just in case, and one of Larissa's healing crystals. I wasn't sipping long when a couple kids noticed me (not hard to see why) and started squealing how pretty I am.
I smiled at the mother of the two kids. "It's okay." I said. I looked at the kids.
"I'm a she, kids." I said. "Please don't call me an it."
The lady lead her kids away, and I went back to my drink-- at least until I noticed a couple employees from the rink come in. One was that a** who had treated me like Larissa's pet, the other wore fancier, more business casual clothing and I could only guess was their supervisor.
I got my feet and headed over, my drink floating alongside me.
"Excuse me." I addressed the supervisor one. I could tell because he was wearing a name-tag with the emblem of the rink. "I would like to lodge a complaint."
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Posted: Sat Oct 28, 2017 1:36 am
Larissa sat back with her hot chocolate and a copy of the day's newspaper and read over things while she also talked to Mia. They read it together, Mia finding the printed page of where to go Christmas light viewing in town for the best displays. Mia also read the page about local events and activities in the town. There was a free Carols in the Park, a Christmas parade in the main street, photos with Santa in the mall, Charities holding special events and stuff like that.
Larissa smiled at the kids and she suddenly wondered if that would be her some day. With a child excitedly pointing at a dragon...well, no, probably not since said dragon would be their other parent. But still. That could be her some day. In 9 months' time.
The boy and girl looked surprised when Garnet talked and the boy turned to his mother, pulling her sleeve "It talked to me! The dragon talked. I mean...she talked to me!" he corrected himself, looking back at Garnet with eyes full of wonder.
"She's so pretty" the little girl added, "I want her skin"
Larissa and Mia heard them and giggled at that. "Look out Garnet, you got a little dragon hunter over there" Mia teased her as the woman took her drinks and gingerbread cookies and left the store, kids still craning their heads to try and stare at Garnet as long as possible.
Larissa turned back to the newspaper, reading articles and local news. She glanced up when Garnet got up and walked over to the two employees who just came in. Mia was smiling, but Larissa had a bad feeling about this.
The supervisor turned to Garnet and looked a bit taken aback. "Er...okay. And what complaint would a dragon have about the skating rink? Pardon me for saying so but dragons aren't our usual customers".
The other man just watched Garnet, frowning. "Oh, sir, don't worry about her. She was on the rink earlier. I had to ask her to leave the premises as per our no magical creatures rule. For the safety of other customers. Dragons aren't allowed on the rink, with no exceptions"
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Kasumi Roseglimmer Captain
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Posted: Sat Oct 28, 2017 1:46 am
"Ahhh." I said. "I do understand that rule." I said as the employee told his boss about me being on the ice. "But if that was the case, then why did you not prevent me from getting out onto the ice in the first place?" I asked.
"Rules are rules, but that is no excuse to be rude." I said. "I am 5 meters long. Half of that when I am standing on my hind legs means that I am 2-3 heads above everyone else. And my tail is long as I am tall. Not to mention my wings, which are even larger then that." I looked from the Supervisor to the Employee. "If he was actually doing his job, he would have stopped me on my way in, and that would be that. My tail is indeed a tripping hazard, I know. BUT, Instead, he waits until I dropped to all fours in a very painful back spasm, and addresses my girlfriend like I'm a pet."
I looked to the supervisor with a look of indignation. "Did not even address me. I am a dragon, sir. I am fully aware and intelligent as any human, and fully capable of speech. This man was extremely rude."
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Posted: Sat Oct 28, 2017 2:08 am
The supervisor listened to Garnet and paid attention to what she was saying, but the other man glared at her indignantly. How dare she! He complained to the supervisor "But sir, she was humanoid when she entered the premises. She wasn't fully dragon when permitted entry to the rink. Therefore, as in keeping with our anti discrimination policy, I treated her fairly and did not restrict entry"
"Hold on. I can't listen to two people at once. Let the lady finish talking" The supervisor stopped the rink staff with a raised hand and then listened to all of what Garnet had to say. He then looked at her and the man who had kicked her off the rink.
"Well, ma'am I would like to apologise for the conduct of my employee towards you. While you may be a dragon or part dragon, you are still a person and a valued customer. He should have talked directly to you as a person, and not treated you as an animal. I will hold a meeting with him to discuss this matter in person, as well as bring up the topic at the next company meeting. If there is anything we can do to make it up to you, do let us know. I would also like to make you aware, ma'am, that we do have a new development in progress in the Snow White Ski Resort area. The glacial lake is being converted to a large outdoor rink for magical creatures, with magically thickened and reinforced ice. So if you would like to attend, here are the details for that. Allow me to give you some complimentary passes for when it opens in a week" he handed Garnet a brochure and two passes to the value of 'two adults or adult magical creatures'.
Larissa watched Garnet and the two men. They were getting a lot of stares, well, that was mostly Garnet. She wondered what they were saying and hoped things were going well. She politely slurped more of her hot chocolate while Poff lapped her saucer of warm cat milk. Larissa gave Poff, Gossamer and Sapphire some crumbs from her gingerbread Christmas cookies. Poff ate them while purring.
Crash hoed into the carrot cake, getting crumbs all over his white fur. He had sharp teeth. Mia stole a few bites and nearly got nipped for her efforts but merely laughed and kept stealing bites, scruffing Crash's head roughly but playfully. "Hey, did you hear about the demon that people were saying they've seen around the school, in the forest? Some people are saying it's a ghost. Other people are blaming the school's black magic and necromancy departments"
Larissa froze and her eyes went wide. "What? Another demon, where?" she leaned over to look at the article Mia's black glossed fingernail was pointing at. Sure enough, there were eye witness accounts of people who'd seen demons or demonic entities near and around the academy. "s**t. I better warn Garnet. Guess Poff and my training is going to be put to the test soon"
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Kasumi Roseglimmer Captain
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Posted: Sat Oct 28, 2017 2:31 am
With that sorted out, I accepted the passes, and the brochure, them floating in-front of me as I looked them over.
"Thank you, sir." I said to the supervisor. "Have a good day." And I left the pair to go about their business.
With the stuff floating along behind me I headed back over to where Larissa and Mia were sitting. The two passes landed next to Larissa. "Put those in your purse, will you? I found where we'll be staying for Winter break." I said with a wink. I lay down in the spot that had been made for me, and I read the brochure as I went back to my drink. When I was done reading it, the brochure floated up to where the passes had been set. It looked fairly interesting, with many amenities for not only humans, but familiars and other magical creatures. It would make a fantastic date, in my opinion.
Gossamer and Sapphire nibbled on the food that Larissa gave them, Gossamer with his bubbly purr and Sapphire making squeaky num num noises.
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Posted: Sat Oct 28, 2017 2:49 am
"Thanks, you too, ma'am. I hope you have a good holiday season" The supervisor said with a smile and a polite nod at the dragon.
Little did Garnet know, the man that was rude to her was going to be demoted to a lower position, rather than the promotion he had been hoping for at the Snow White Ski Resort. If anyone was going to hold a grudge against her in the future, it would probably be him.
But for the time being the issue was sorted and Garnet came back to the table. Larissa and Mia looked up as they saw things floating around her and Larissa was glad Garnet's earpiece was coming in useful. She looked at the passes curiously and picked one up "Ooh, what are these?" She looked at Garnet when she spoke, then back at the passes. "Free tickets to Snow White Ski Resort? Wow, that sounds awesome!" she grinned at Garnet. "So I guess they gave you an apology? That's good. That guy was really rude" she frowned.
Mia looked at them intrigued as the crystal witch put them in her purse. "Ooh. I know where that is! That's up in the mountains near here. Hey, can I come? Me and Crash won't take up much room" she joked. "Actually, me, Charlotte and Eilene are going back home for the winter break to spend time with family so we won't be able to. But I wanna hear all about it when you get back. Take lots of photos" she said, smiling.
Mia grabbed the brochure and started looking through it when Garnet was finished with it. "Ooo, fancy" she said with appreciation. "We'll have to go there as a group sometime and go skiing and snow boarding"
Larissa looked back at the newspaper and pulled Garnet's attention to it. "I found something else we can do over Christmas holiday. There's a Christmas parade in the main street, starting at 3:00pm. We should go watch it and if you're feeling up to it, look at Christmas lights afterwards!" she then became more serious, turning the page back to the demon article "And there's something else you should know. Read this" she pointed to the article. "People have reported demon sightings around the forest and near the academy. We might have to be on our guard. It's probably been summoned to go after us. Hopefully if we're away at the resort it will lose track of us. But it'll probably be waiting when we get back"
Poff ate the gingerbread and then groomed her face, washing off a milk mustache and getting the crumbs out of her whiskers and face fur. "More demons, meow? I just hope it's not another hell hound. Makes my hair raise just thinking about it" she shook her head, and resettled herself.
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Kasumi Roseglimmer Captain
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Posted: Sat Oct 28, 2017 4:46 pm
Larissa and Mia seemed super exited about the resort. I smiled at that; the superior's generous apology was going to get us a stay at one the hottest (or coldest) resort spots this year.
I started to thrum slightly as both of them seemed super exited.
It was then Larissa brought my attention to the parade and to the demon sightings. I used my telekinesis to accept the newspaper as she showed ot to me, the paper floating infront of me as I continued to sip my drink.
"Saturday's going to be a fun day." I said as I looked at the info about the Parade. I glanced up to Larissa. "I'll make sure we get the best view of the parade." I said with a smile.
"As for the demon..." I trailed off as I read the other article she indicated. "Yes. I should probably start to get used to this form... especially if I'm going to be stuck a while." I mused to myself. "Especially if we are still being hunted." I trailed off. I glanced up at Larissa. "We should be especially careful to stick together. And don't go places alone."
I got to my feet and nuzzled her, gently butting my head against her affectionately.
Mia smiled at my show of affection. "I have classes near the Larissa's classes." Mia volunteered. "I can meet up with you when you're not with Garnet, Larissa. Charlotte's weaving classes are near Shadow Studies too."
I looked to her and nodded. "I appreciate that offer, thank you."
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Posted: Sat Oct 28, 2017 7:40 pm
"Yes indeed it is! Ooh, sounds great!" She smiled when Garnet promised that they'd have the best view at the parade, wondering what she was going to do. Maybe she'd get a rooftop seat or something. She was looking forward to Saturday more than ever now. A parade and light viewing and maybe even dinner afterwards all sounded good to her. She childishly hoped she'd be able to get some of the candy tossed out by the parade people.
Then Garnet mentioned the demon and Larissa and Mia became serious again. "I'm sure we are still being hunted" Larissa admitted, nodding her head at Garnet's words. "They just keep showing up. I won't be surprised if they start coming more often. And it seems like they're getting a little bit stronger each time. Poff and I have been training hard and doing our best but I still doubt we could take on any of the stronger demons without help" She nodded as Garnet said they should stick together "Mm! I agree. Safety is in numbers"
She giggled when Garnet headbutted and nuzzled her, placing a kiss on the tip of the dragon's snout while Mia stood smiling as she watched them. She turned to look at the girl when she spoke. "Oh, okay. Thanks Mia, that's really good of you" she smiled at her. "I'll remember that and try to seek you or Charlotte out when Garnet's not around. That's cool of you to offer. Makes me feel a lot safer"
Mia smiled, one hand on her hip as the other lightly toyed with Crash's ears, slightly annoying the rabbit as he gave light, playful nips to her fingers. "No problem. I can handle myself well enough around monsters in the training arenas, so... so long as it's not a crazy strong demon, I'd be able to help you deflect it or defeat it"
Larissa nodded "Wait, did you mention shadow studies? I didn't know Charlotte was taking them" she said, getting the information a little mixed up.
Mia let out a soft amused puff of air from her nose. "No. Not Charlotte. But someone I know takes Necromancy and Shadow Studies. It's not common knowledge but this school does teach those subjects".
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Kasumi Roseglimmer Captain
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Posted: Sat Oct 28, 2017 7:54 pm
A couple days later it was Saturday morning. I woke, curled up around Larissa in our shared bedroom.
I yawned, shuffling off of her and out of bed; making sure Larissa was covered with a blanket before I did so. I stretched, flaring my wings slightly as I arched my back and streched.
I glanced at the clock and blinked. Wow, we had slept in till noon. Then again, it had been an intense training and study session the night before, as I was still personally training her to become stronger in both magic and body.
We have three hours til the parade started, and I promised Larissa the best view... and I know exactly how I'll do it. I ambled out of the bedroom to one of my crafting rooms-- I should have plenty of leather straps lying around...
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